The analogy is flawed because the iPad does connect to 4G where it's available, where in your example the "myPhone" would be an outright lie. As I said, the mistake they made was assuming people would understand about 4G, or maybe by not marketing differently in non-US countries.
I think what's not being acknowledged here is that the perspectives for us US residents might be different than those outside the US. It's the exact same marketing, and I don't think US residents feel lied to. That's why I think callinng it a "deception" somewhat invalidates an otherwise valid point. It was a marketing mistake at worst. But it just was not a lie.
Im pointing the iPad directly at my city's (in Denmark) 4G tower... hmm, no it does not connect to 4G....